Attitudes of Family Members Towards Mentally Handicapped Children and Family Burden.

ABSTRACT

Background — The burden associated with rearing such mentally handicapped children usually affects whole of atmosphere of home including routine family life, emotional aspects and financial resources of family. The present study has been undertaken with the aim of determining the attitudes of family members towards a mentally handicapped child in their family and it has been assessed whether such children are considered as burden to their families. Material and Methods — The study was carried out in psychiatry OPD of the civil hospital, Gurdaspur in Punjab. Parents of children suffering from mental handicap who came for getting mental disability certificate for their children were included in the study. Total 200 families of mentally handicapped children were included in age group of upto 16 years of age. They were interviewed using a questionnaire based on ‘ Questionnaire on Resources and stress ‘scale to measure burden in their families. During the interview, an attempt was made to have both the parents present. Results — Basic psychometric properties of the questionnaire were sound. Findings revealed that mean burden was minimal to moderate in all the 200 families. The intelligence quotient was between 36 and 51 in 120 children, 70 children had IQ between 20 and 35, 10 children had IQ below 20. The education of parents was upto 5th standard in 100 children, upto 8th standard in 80 children, upto12th standard in 15 children and upto graduation in 5 children. 80% of families belonged to poor socioeconomic status. 10% of families belonged to middle class background. Conclusion — Our findings support the fact that children suffering from mental handicap are considered as burden by their family members. Negative parental attitude leads to rejecting attitude towards mentally retarded children. This adversely affects the interaction within the family and also with outsiders. Such children should be offered support by family members to enable them to cope with stressful situations and in their rehabilitation. There is a need for implementation of family based schemes for such disabled children.